cawdery



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

J W. OAWDERY.

CARRIAGE FOR GRAVITY RAILWAYS.

No. 593,413. Patented Nov. 9,1897.

1 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. 1 J. W. GAWDERY.

CARRIAGE FOR GRAVITY RAILWAYS.

No. 593,413. Patented Nov. 9,1897.

(No Model.) v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. UAWDERY. CARRIAGE FOR GRAVITY RAILWAYS.

No. 593,413. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

7:16 aw w Witrmifiw an; 4L4 w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WILLIAM OAWVDERY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CARRIAGE FO R G RAVlTY-RAI LWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 593,413, dated November 9, 1897. A li ation fil d August 3, 1896. Renewed September 3, 1897. Serial No. 650,535. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WILLIAM OAW- DERY, engineer, of 73 Archell Road, New North Road, .Vest Kensington, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carriages for Gravity or Switchback Railways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction of carriages for use with gravity or Switchback railways; and it consists of improvements in the arrangement shown in Patent No. 518,22a, dated April 17, 1894, for improvements in gravity or Switchback railways, granted to me.

This invention relates especially to means by which the carriage, made in the form of a horse according to the prior specification, may be rendered more effective in its action, especially when passing around curves. I propose to make the framework of the carriage in two main parts, each of which carries a wheel or pair of wheels on which the vehicle runs. These two parts of the frame are connected together by a central joint having a vertical pin which allows the two parts to turn horizontally. I also provide in connection with the wheels a lubricating device which insures the bearings of the carriagewheels being properly lubricated. This deyice consists of a tube carrying lubricating material connected by a joint to the spindle or axle of the wheel, this axle being stationary. A hole passes from the end of this joint to the bearing-surface, so that the lubricator can pass from the tube through the joint to the bearing, the tube hanging vertically. This tube is closed by a small screw-cap at its lower end, which can be turned to force the lubricating material through the passage to the bearing. To allow the body of the carriage, which is made in the form of a horse, to bend without disfiguring it and without danger to the rider, a shield-plate is placed at each side, which, when the horse bends, covers the opening at the outer side and prevents any dangerof the rider getting pinched. I propose also to employ an improved stirrup which can be adjusted in position and which will prevent the'rider placing his legs below the body of the horse and thus rendering them liable to get injured by striking the upper part of the track.

The stirrups I propose to employ consist ofv Figure 1 is a side elevation of the general arrangement with the form of the horse shown in outline. Fig. 2 is an end view, and Fig. 3 a plan of the same, showing only the construction of the carriage. Fig. 4 is a plan of the main part of the carriage,shown to a larger scale. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side and front elevation. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the lubricating device, and Figs. 8 and 9 show the protecting-plate and stirrups.

The construction of the track is similar to that shown in my prior specification, consisting of a number of metal standards A, carrying at the top the rails a and at the sides the additional rails a, which serve for guiding purposes.

The carriage I propose to employ is formed in two main parts B and B, the front part B being made in the form of a rectangular frame in plan, carrying a vertical rectangular frame 17 at its rear end. This extension 6 serves to form the connection between the two parts, the vertical pin 0 passing through it and being secured at top, threading the looped end 6 of the rear frame. This rear frame is preferably somewhat longer than the front one and consists of parallel bars curved toward the front and terminating in the loops 1). When the parts are connected, the two frames are brought together, so that the front of B enters the vertical frame 19, resting upon the bottom of this frame, the pin 0 then connecting the parts, as shown. At the small rollers or bearing-wheels which run on these rails. A similar bar D extends from the top of the hinged pin to the side bars'or legs D at the rear of the horse, thus completing the frame and strengthening it, at the same time allowing the two parts to freely turn around the pivot-pin. The body of the horse is also made in two parts, divided at the turning-point, the abutting edges being wheel being of considerable width and provided with a flange at each side, running upon the two rails at the top of the track. The axle on which they are carried is stationary and is formed with a lubricating hole or passage g, extending from the end and terminating at the side, a short arm at right angles leading the lubricating material to the surface. The lubricator consists of a tube H, hanging vertically from a joint h, the end of which is secured in the extremity of the axle g. To the lower end of the tube H ascrewcap it is fitted, closing the end of the tube and causing the lubricating material in the tube to be forced into the passage g when the cap is screwed up. This lubricatoris placed in a convenient position for use, hanging at the side of the frame, but concealed by the body of the horse.

The stirrup J (shown in Figs. 8 and 9) is provided with the tubular extension j, the latter having a hole j extending through it at one side. A pin j carried on the end of a chain, is connected to the stirrup and serves to secure it in position on the stirrup rod or support K. The latter is provided with a series of horizontal grooves or notches 7c, placed at equal distances apart and extending for about a quarter of a circle. The pin is passed through the hole in the tubular sheath and enters one of these grooves or notches, the arrangement preventing the stirrup dropping below the required position, but allowing it to turn a short distance around the rod. The rod, the upper part of whichis of semicircular form, is pivoted to the hinged plate L,

carried by the plate M, fixed to the body of the horse. The extension m forms a stop which prevents the hinged plate of the stirrup-rod being turned underneath the body of the horse, but allows of free motion in any other direction. The hinged arm N allows the carriage to shift by a chain from one track to another at the end of its journey.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In carriages for gravity or Switchback railways, the combination with separate front and rear frames, running-wheels carriedby each frame and extensions bearing against the lower guiding-rails, of a vertical pivot connecting the two frames together, substantially as and for the purposes specified. V

2. In carriages for gravity or switchback railways, the combination with a front and rear frame, a vertical frame or extension on the former and a loop at the front of the latter, of a vertical pivot-pin carried by the vertical extension and'passing through the loop, top bars secured by the pin, and legs at each end to which the bars are connected, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a carriage for gravity or Switchback railways made in the form of a horse divided transversely, the combination with a front and rear frame within the body of the horse connected together by a central pivot-pin, of a protecting-plate fixed at each side to the body of the horse, and adapted to cover the gap formed on the carriage moving round a curve, substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.

4. In a carriage for gravity or switchback railways made in the form of a horse, stirrups carried by a stirrup-rod, pivoted at its upper end to a hinged plate, which is suspended from the fixed plate, the stirrup-rod having a number of notches or grooves by means of which the stirrup is connected, a pin passing through the sheath or tube on the stirrup and engaging with one of the notches, substantially as described and shown, and for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have sworn to set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN IVILLIAM CA\VDERY.

In presence of- ALBERT EDWARD ELLEN, HERBERT JULIAN (Ross. 

